Implanon and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Hap...
• November 29, 2010

For Birth Control "I have read reviews below and noticed most people find those with low rating helpful. We should all remember that this is a birth control method and goes against nature. There will definitely be side effects, and there is nothing that works the same for everyone. We all have different experiences and would like to write some more about the good things. I had mine inserted in March this year and cannot be happier. I have used the pill and the IUD before. While on the pill, I got pregnant. I decided to use the IUD afterward. Took it out because I would bleed heavily for 2 weeks every month. With Implanon, I have not had my periods, no weight gain. Got some cramping and low libido, but I can live with it. Oh, and I am not pregnant. Give it a try."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I thought this birth control would be the perfect fit for me since I always forgot to take the pill. I had it inserted in October 2014. Since then, I have already gained 20 pounds. Nothing about my life or the way I eat has changed, so I knew it was the Implanon. When it was first put in my arm, it was bruised for a week and very sensitive to touch. I have had very clear skin before using this and my face has begun to break out. I'm only 20, so I'm very insecure to go to the beach this summer with my face and body looking like this. Also, my sex drive has gone down tremendously, which is hurting my relationship. The only plus side is not having a period at all. I would spot here and there in the beginning, but it went away and I do not spot anymore."

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Beware and do extensive research on Implanon before you get it. If you’ve found this forum, I’m proud of you. Doctors and first initial 'Implanon' Google searches do not yield all side effects. After I had the Implanon inserted, I had intense mood swings of immense sadness and unnecessary anger towards loved ones. After 3 months, the mood swings settled down to constant depression and anxiety. It took me 8 months to connect the dots of side effects to Implanon: the 10 kg weight gain, the mental illness, the COMPLETE AND UTTER LOSS OF LIBIDO, and loss of any natural lubrication ('getting wet') on the odd chance that I did want to have sex with my fiancé. This was huge for me and caused a lot of insecurity because my body simply wouldn’t respond to sexual advances, even things that usually always turn me on. I feel numb most days. Last week I went to my GP to get it removed, she said no. She wouldn’t remove it because I’m a 20-year-old. I’m going back in today to demand it be removed."

• Fel...
• November 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only had the Implanon for 4 weeks and am going in today to have it removed. I chose this because it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' easier birth control. But the side effects for me have been horrendous. I have had severe anxiety, mood swings, and depression. And instead of little issues rolling right off my shoulders, it feels as though it's the end of the world. I've never struggled with this before. I've also had literal thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Also, it caused my sex drive to become pretty much non-existent. Coming from a woman who has been with the same man for 12 years and could have sex 3 times per day. I started having no sex drive and had a very dry vagina."

• tha...
• November 9, 2014

For Birth Control "For birth control, it definitely works. I've had this in for a little over a year. I do get my period every month. But I feel like every other month I either get two periods, or it lasts for 3 weeks at least. I am also NEVER in the mood for sex. I'm considering getting it out sooner than the 3 recommended."

• SFM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had my Implanon since May 30th, 2013. I have not stopped bleeding since I got it. I have crazy mood swings, I get extremely depressed, crave junk food, my sex drive is way down, I get horrible headaches, and abdominal pain."

• Emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I would just like to tell people my story of having the Implanon and the side effects I have experienced during this time. I got my first implant 7 years ago. My experiences with the implant have been awful! And this is the reason I would like to give people an idea of what it can do to your body to hopefully help people deciding whether the implant is for them or if people are experiencing symptoms like the ones I had, then it is most likely due to the implant and the doctors really don't have a clue, as I was told by my GP on several occasions, 'No, it will not be the implant that is causing this,' when in reality I knew it was. When I had it removed, it confirmed that I was right. So here is my story.. With the implant, I gained so much weight, which I have been unable to lose. I bled heavily during sex, and when I say heavily, I mean it went everywhere!! And this was on every occasion during intercourse, and when I explained to my GP, in her head, there was no way it was the implant! And this was when I was not bleeding, which wasn't very often. This really does affect your life, your sex life, and your relationships. I bled almost all the time without a break, which makes you feel so uncomfortable and self-conscious. I never had clean knickers!! I know, not nice. My hormones have been everywhere since I got the implant, also depression, anxiety, etc. Pain during intercourse was a big issue while on the implant. I had so much pain that sometimes I could not have sex with my partner. Sometimes I would not lubricate myself, which was also another symptom. GP did not help with this either, apart from offering me lubricant!! If I was not bleeding, I had dark brown discharge. Until having the implant removed, I cannot remember the last time I wore white knickers. There is so much more, but these are the main symptoms I have experienced more recently. I had my implant removed on 6/11/17, and when having it removed, I was intimidated by the nurse who was removing it, she was very rude!! Anyway, I stopped bleeding straight away. I started my period on 10/11/17, which lasted 4-5 days. I have never bled since, not even a spot!! My partner and I can finally enjoy intercourse without the worry about me bleeding or being sore. I can even wear WHITE knickers now, and they stay WHITE!!!! IT'S AMAZING!! I have never felt so happy! I was starting to doubt my body while on the implant. I thought, my body isn't normal, there's something wrong with me. At one point, I thought I had cervical cancer due to the bleeding during sex. My whole life has changed since having the implant removed, I feel so much better and back to normal, whatever normal is.. I really hope that by sharing my experience, if I can even help one person, I will be happy☺️. Thank you for reading, and if anyone would like to write to me regarding this, feel free to do so. Thank you."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I've had mine since October of 2013. At first, I was super excited because it was a no-fuss birth control that would cause me migraines. After I had it implanted, I gained 30 lbs in a matter of 3 months. Although I believe some of that was stress (I'm in medical school), I continued to work out regularly and was still gaining weight. I have not had my period since I've had it, but instead, I've had bloating, mood swings, lowered sex drive, oh, and my migraines have gotten worse. Although I love how easy it is, I feel like it's taken a real toll on my body. I hate to say it, but I miss having my normal body functions, even my period!"

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I got the Implanon late 2009, now December 2010, I'm debating if I want it removed. I thought this was going to be nice. A friend of mine warned me the worst was yet to come. A few months after getting it put in, I experienced weight gain. I'm still dealing with this unexplainable fatigue, and I've acquired a thyroid issue, as well as the nonstop bleeding, almost no sex drive, and I'm only 21. I don't know how much longer I can deal with feeling a wreck, but I have not been pregnant, and that's the only thing keeping me on this birth control."

• Mac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Implanon placed back in 2010 for 3 years, later found out it was extended to 5 years. I didn't notice any side effects right away. My sex drive was normal, skin normal, everything was fine. I noticed a major change after 4 years. I started getting depressed, angry for no reason, 0 patience. As time went on, I started becoming a really mean person, uninterested in everything. I would eat and snack constantly. I didn't want to go anywhere or see people because I just didn't care to converse or act like I cared what was happening in their life. My sex drive was low. My health started being affected too, I suffered from severe migraines, nausea, mood swings. I went to the doctor, had MRIs done, and nothing came from it. I was 'fine.' I didn't even think to associate my birth control with it. I started getting educated, read reviews, and saw that I was not alone. It is now removed, and I am slowly becoming the woman my family deserves. I would 100% not recommend this birth control. I hope this helps someone."

• Sam...
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted in October 2014. The first couple of weeks, I felt quite queasy and depressed. After a few weeks, I was fine. I have not gained any weight or had any nasty side effects. I have a light and short period once a month. However, sex drive has gone out the window."

• Jel...
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience has been horrible. I got it after I gave birth in Nov 2012, and at the beginning it was cool. I have not gained weight, I have just lost mad weight, and it sucks. I weigh less than I've ever weighed before. In March of 2013, I got my period, and now it's Nov, and I still have it non-stop, full-on period, and it sucks. I have an appointment on Nov 13th to get it removed. I have lost my sex drive, I've been bipolar. This thing has made me crazy. I cannot wait to get it removed and have my life back. Would not recommend it to anyone."

• Lad...
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the arm implant in March 2017, and it's been nothing but a nightmare. I have gained so much weight, I started to retain water, and I have been spotting for the last month. My sex drive is usually insane, but with the birth control, I lost my sex drive, and my skin took a toll. I don't recommend this birth control."

• AWh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I had the Implanon inserted in June 2011 and had it taken out recently in June 2014 when my three-year mark was up. I'm giving it a six because it did prevent pregnancy in my case. Pros from my experience: no periods and no pregnancies. Cons from my experience: 80 lbs weight gained (I also had some family issues, work, and school. Not blaming it all on the birth control). NO sex drive at all, I was never in the mood, and my feet seemed to get bigger. Other than that, it's a great birth control. It works effectively on other people. Some have no weight gain, and some do. I do recommend this because it does work great for preventing pregnancy!"

• New...
• December 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I had been on the pill for 7 years and had a good experience with them, but every time I'd forget to take a pill, I'd bleed. My husband and I decided to wait on kids, so I got the Implanon inserted. I love the convenience of not having to worry about taking a pill or having to worry about being pregnant if I forget the pill. The only major downfall is the lack of sex drive. I've been on the Implanon for almost 2 months, and it's affecting my sex life. My husband and I went from doing it 3 times a week to 1. I'm seriously considering taking it out early."

• Civ...
• May 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel a civic duty to share my experience because this is really the 'Evil Stick.' It all started great! The insertion was easy, had some mild spasms in the arm, and I didn't have my period for 5 months, which is cool! 8 months later, random spotting and had some serious heavy periods lasting more than two weeks! *Warning, this part will be very graphic.* I found myself sitting in the bathtub, I was bleeding out. I sat there for about an hour, and huge blood clots streamed out of me. I was horrified, as I have never seen anything like this in my life! Basically, I had two weeks of heavy periods and two weeks with no period. The period was so heavy I was iron deficient. I gained 25 - 30 pounds and had acne on my face. After 2 years, I am HANGRY! I'm hungry, angry, moody, zero energy. SEX DRIVE IS NONEXISTENT, flooding periods, eruptions of acne, and 30 pounds later...decided to remove the 'Evil Stick' next week! Argh...I regret my life decision."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "2 months after I had my baby, I decided to get the Implanon. Worst mistake EVER. I had no sex drive at all, and my mood swings were so bad that my husband and I almost broke up over me being in such a bad mood all the time. I also got very depressed. I knew it wasn't the baby blues because I was so happy with my new daughter. Right after I took it off, I started feeling like myself again."

• Ann...
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon since June 10th, 2012. I haven't had my period once, not sure if that's a good thing. I haven't spotted, but I'm not complaining. I have not got any acne. I have, however, gained almost 100 pounds. And I haven't really been able to lose weight while on the implant. And just recently, my sex drive has almost nearly disappeared."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2014

For Birth Control "My experience was very mixed. I have to say it was effective in preventing pregnancy and not having to worry about taking a pill was wonderful. However, I spent one month on my period and sometimes one month off, usually 2-3 weeks off. That's really effective in preventing pregnancy when you're constantly on your period. Oh, and the mood swings? Terrible. I couldn't even stand to be around myself. It also killed my sex drive and made me tired all the time. Just a warning to potential users. It's not all peachy and period-free! Two months post-removal, I'm finally starting to feel like myself again."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm one of the 5% that experience all the VERY bad side effects that no one mentioned when I got the implant. I used it for 8 months after the birth of my son. It was removed 6 months ago, and now I'm having to see an endocrinologist due to the continuing hormone imbalance Implanon caused. I lost hair, gained 50 pounds, acne, facial hair, mood swings, fatigue, slept most of the time, no libido, just plain MISERABLE. Not to mention I missed out on enjoying my son's 1st year of life."

• Cas...
• September 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I was 140 lbs at the time of insertion. I've had this BC for a little over a year now. I am now 115 lbs, can't gain weight, no appetite due to the depression, and very low on energy due to the lack of nutrition. Migraines just started, they last for about 3 days. No sex drive, minor acne, NO PERIOD, moody, back pain, sore throat, flu-like symptoms that go away within a day. Some episodes of vaginal itching."

• Lau...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Before getting this, I religiously read the reviews, and I was terrified. Weight gain, no sex drive, depression were common things I was reading in every thread. However, I have had an amazing experience, and I just want to remind everyone that everyone has different reactions, and keep in mind that it's normal for people to post negative reviews, but people rarely post positive reviews. I went on this from the NuvaRing. I haven't gotten my period since I've had it, which is great! No weight gain (but I do work out and eat decently), and I haven't had feelings of depression. My sex drive isn't as high as it was without any birth control, but it's definitely higher than it was on the NuvaRing."

• Ked...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I had Implanon inserted in May 2013 and still have it in now (January 2015). There have been positives and negatives. Positives: I have not had a period since the insertion, I did not get pregnant, my arm was bruised for a day. Negatives: I have no sex drive, have gained 35 pounds (rapidly) since the implant, I have slight mood swings and have been short-tempered since starting this birth control method. I have been on a strict diet for the last six months to lose weight and cannot shed a pound. My Implanon days are numbered."

• Mis...
• August 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I got my Implanon inserted in September 2009, 2 1/2 months after my son was born. Before insertion, I had a sex drive, good skin, lost all my weight from my pregnancy, and wasn't angry or impatient all the time. I didn't have a period until December that lasted 5 days. My next cycle was at the end of January and was heavy until March. I have had a period either every month for 14 days straight or every other week with 7 days of bleeding. I like the idea of no pill, but this has got to stop. My OB has put me on the pill to stop my bleeding, but I have taken the pill every day for the last 5 months. And I still have it every other week. I have bad acne, moodiness, and gained 30 pounds. My marriage is probably suffering because I have no sex drive. It's time to get it out!"

• Mmv...
• November 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had Implanon for three years now and have an appointment next week to have it removed. I'm looking forward to it! Reasons being: since Implanon, my sex drive is gone.. and I'm only 24 years old! This has caused BAD problems with my marriage and has nearly caused divorce on more than one occasion. The past 3 years have been horrible with this side effect. After doing research, I have found that this may be permanent even after Implanon is removed. Another side effect that I have is severe depression. I have struggled with depression before Implanon, but it has made it worse. I have also experienced fatigue. The only good thing about Implanon is the fact it has kept me from getting pregnant."